There was no victory celebration for Paul Stirling to mark his 400th appearance for Ireland last night as his side were comprehensively beaten by South Africa, losing by 139 runs in the first of a three-match one-day international series in Abu Dhabi.

In pursuit of 272 to win, Stirling himself lasted two balls: the first a familiar push through the offside for a couple, the second deflected into his middle stump, leading to an equally familiar trudge back to the pavilion.

Andy Balbirnie struck one glorious drive past mid off, and found another boundary plus a top-edged six before he was bowled through the gate for 20, while Curtis Campher popped a tame catch to short extra on the same score.

The biggest disappointment was Harry Tector who stuck three of his first eight balls to the ropes, one an imperious on drive, only to fall lbw to the next delivery that nipped back and struck his front pad, half forward.

Tector can’t buy a score at the moment but neither can the Ireland lower order and no-one bettered George Dockrell’s muscular 21 as they were bowled out for 132 in the 32d over.

“That was a tough defeat,” skipper Stirling admitted. “We dropped chances which would have have made a difference, and when you have a team like South Africa three-down early on you have to hold on to those.”

Mark Adair, who took two wickets in a probing opening spell was again leading wicket taker for the Boys in Green with 4-50, while Craig Young made the initial breakthrough during a superbly tight opening four overs, on his way to a return of 3-45.

Debutant leg-spinner Gavin Hoey bowled far better than figures of 0-65 from 10 overs would suggest, watched proudly by father Conor, who won the last of his 42 Ireland caps in 1995.

“I’m delighted for Gav,” Stirling said. “It’s not easy for a wrist spinner, especially in these conditions against strong opposition who put you under pressure from ball one. But he came back brilliantly in his last five overs.”

After seeing the ball nip around under the lights, Stirling will hope to win his first toss of the tour in tomorrow’s second game and bat first.